Greater New Orleans

Cajuns Claim Title with Shutout

LAFAYETTE-Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns softball team used a 5-0 shutout over San Diego State to claim the 2009 Mardi Gras Invitational title on Sunday at Alfred and Helen Lamson Ragin' Cajuns Softball Park.

The Cajuns recorded 11 hits on the day en route to the shutout victory. Three UL players recorded multiple hits on the day, including Melissa Verde.

Verde, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI.

For the weekend, Verde finished with a .462 with two doubles, a grand slam, .846 slugging percentage, .611 on-base percentage and nine runs batted in.

Along with Verde, Karli Hubbard and Vallie Gaspard each collected multiple hits in the game. Both slap hitters collected a pair of base hits each. Hubbard finished 2-for-4 , while Gaspard closed out the day 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.

Jessica Dupont collected the Cajuns' only extra base hit of the day as she hit her first home run of the season.

Louisiana tallied five runs on the afternoon, which proved to be more than enough as Donna Bourgeois kept the Aztecs off of the scoreboard. Bourgeois tossed a complete game two-hit shutout, earning her eighth win of the season. The sophomore fanned six batters, while surrendering just one walk.

Five Ragin' Cajuns players were named to the All-Tournament team. Bourgeois, Ashley Brignac, Hubbard and Katie Smith each earned All-Tournament accolades, while Verde was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player.

Julianne Towers (UConn), Samantha Beasley (San Diego State), Brittany Knudsen (San Diego State), Chanda Bell (Kentucky) and Molly Johnson (Kentucky) were also named to the All-Tournament Team. Louisiana was the tournament champions with a 4-0 record, while Kentucky finished as the runner-up with a 2-2 mark.

After being held scoreless for the two innings, the Cajuns broke the scoreless tie with a two-run third inning. With one out, Gaspard had a bunt single to get things started for Louisiana. Smith followed with an infield single and a single by Hubbard loaded the bases for the Cajuns. Verde singled up the middle to plate to score Gaspard and Smith and give UL a 2-0 lead.

The Cajuns added a run in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs, Kelly Cormier singled to third base. She advanced to second on a throwing error by San Diego State. Gaspard followed with a single up the middle. Cormier was able to score from second base to increase the Louisiana lead to 3-0.

The score remained 3-0 until the sixth inning. Dupont left off the inning with a solo home run. The homer was her second of her career and the first this season.

UL added a run in the top of the seventh to give them a 5-0 lead. Verde led off the inning with a single and Erikka Murphy entered the game to pinch run. Murphy advanced to second on a wild pitch. A fielding error by SDSU gave UL runners on second and third. Codi Runyan delivered a two-out single to right field to score Murphy from third and give the Cajuns a five-run cushion.

The Ragin' Cajuns hit the road for the first time this season as they head to Columbus, Ga. for the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Cajuns will take on Northwestern and Georgia Tech on Friday, before battling DePaul and Michigan on Saturday. The Cajuns will close out the tournament with a game against Florida State. First pitch on Friday is slated for 10:00 a.m. Central Time.